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Flyers Notes: Flyers coach endorses Scott Hartnell for the All-Star Game selection

RALEIGH, N.C. - When the NHL names the remaining 36 all-stars on Thursday, Flyers center Claude Giroux will undoubtedly be selected to the team.

Scott Hartnell is having a career season for the Flyers and has never played in an All-Star game. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)
Scott Hartnell is having a career season for the Flyers and has never played in an All-Star game. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)Read moreAP

RALEIGH, N.C. - When the NHL names the remaining 36 all-stars on Thursday, Flyers center Claude Giroux will undoubtedly be selected to the team.

But coach Peter Laviolette made a passionate case Tuesday for another member of Giroux's high-scoring line.

"I'm not lobbying, but it would be criminal for Scott Hartnell not to be on there," Laviolette said after the Flyers' morning skate. "In my opinion, he's the top power forward in the league right now. Based on numbers, based on this season, based on plus-minus, hits, physical play, goals and assists," you'd be hard-pressed "to come up with somebody who has had a better year than Scott. End of story."

Hartnell, 29, is having a career season. The left winger entered Tuesday's game against Carolina tied with Giroux for the team lead in goals with 18, and he topped the Flyers at plus-19 and was tied for third with 19 assists.

He was tied for 11th in the NHL in goals, tied for seventh in the league with seven power-play tallies, and 14th in plus-minus.

In his 11-year career, Hartnell has never played in an All-Star Game.

"It would be awesome," Hartnell said. "You think about it . . . and it would be a thrill. I've never really considered myself an all-star, but I've had a pretty good season thus far. The role I play isn't as flashy as Giroux or Eric Staal or [Martin] St. Louis and those guys. But at the same time, I get the job done and it's not pretty."

Jagr improving

Veteran winger Jaromir Jagr said he was tentative and "scared" to push off on his strained groin in Sunday's game in Ottawa. He said the groin was improving and he was ready to go Tuesday.

Briere recharged

Danny Briere has picked up the pace after a recent meeting with Laviolette in which the coach told him he needed to play with more emotion.

He was right, Briere said, adding he sees a "big difference in my game and how involved I am."

Social media star

Move over, Ashton Kutcher.

In the first day after he rejoined Twitter to "have fun with it and connect with fans," Giroux (@28CGiroux) had a staggering 50,000-plus followers.

Giroux has become more outspoken and more of a leader this season, his teammates said. "As you get more comfortable, you're not afraid to speak up," Briere said. ". . . When you're the best player in the league, I think he's earned the right to be like that."

The Philadelphia Sportswriters Association will honor Giroux as the city's athlete of the year at its Jan. 30 banquet at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill. Flyers legend Bernie Parent will also make an appearance, along with numerous athletes from the other pro teams, including the Phillies' Hunter Pence.

Breakaways

Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (8-3-1, 2.56 GAA, .914 save percentage) got the start Tuesday. Ilya Bryzgalov (16-9-3, 3.07, .891) started the previous three games. . . . Harry Zolnierczyk replaced Zac Rinaldo in the lineup. . . . Former Flyers winger Andreas Nodl (two goals in 29 games) started for the Hurricanes.

- Sam Carchidi